Spinal Cord Stimulation in Dallas

What is Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)?

Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) is a treatment that uses a small device implanted near the spinal cord to deliver mild electrical impulses. These impulses block or modify pain signals before they reach the brain, helping to ease chronic pain in the back, legs, or other areas. SCS is often used when other treatments haven’t been effective. The device is adjustable, allowing doctors to personalize the therapy to each patient’s needs. SCS is minimally invasive and reversible, meaning it can be turned off or removed if necessary without any problems. It’s commonly used for conditions like failed back surgery syndrome, nerve pain, or complex regional pain syndrome.

How Does Spinal Cord Stimulation Work?

Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) is a therapy designed to ease chronic pain by interfering with pain signal transmission to the brain. A small device, called a spinal cord stimulator, is surgically implanted near the spinal cord. This device emits mild electrical impulses that target specific nerves responsible for transmitting pain signals. By delivering these impulses, SCS modifies the way pain signals are perceived, often replacing the sensation of pain with a gentle tingling or paresthesia.

The mechanism behind SCS is rooted in the gate control theory of pain, which suggests that non-painful input can close the “gates” to painful input, preventing pain sensation from traveling to the central nervous system. Simply saying – you won’t feel the pain you used to feel. By stimulating the large nerve fibers, SCS effectively “closes the gate” to pain signals carried by smaller nerve fibers. This process reduces the perception of pain in conditions such as failed back surgery syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, and neuropathic pain.

Consulting with a spinal cord stimulation doctor is very important to determine if this therapy is even appropriate for your specific condition. The procedure includes spinal cord stimulator surgery, where the device is implanted under the skin, typically in the abdomen or buttock area, with leads extending to the epidural space near the spinal cord. Post-surgery, the device can be programmed and adjusted to work better for you.

Types of Spinal Cord Stimulation System

There are several types of spinal cord stimulator systems, here are main ones:

Conventional Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG). This spinal implant device is placed under the skin during spinal cord stimulator surgery and powered by a non-rechargeable battery. When the battery runs out, it requires a minor surgical replacement. It’s a simple option for those with moderate pain in one or two areas.
Rechargeable IPG. Similar to the conventional IPG, but with a rechargeable battery that you can power externally. It lasts longer and is better for people with higher energy needs or pain in multiple areas. Many consider this one of the best spinal cord stimulator options for extra flexibility.
Closed Loop Stimulators. These systems use the latest technology to keep up with pain as the patient is active. They may help patients who have not benefited with classic open loop spinal cord stimulators. They adjust current instantaneously to maintain constant activation of the target and consistent pain relief.
Burst or High-Frequency Stimulators. These newer systems offer advanced technology, delivering stimulation in patterns that minimize the tingling sensation (paresthesia). This makes them a popular choice.

Each spinal cord stimulation therapy has its own advantages, so you should consult your healthcare provider to understand your options.

Conditions Treated with Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a therapy that uses a spinal stimulator implant to deliver mild electrical impulses to the spinal cord, effectively modifying pain signals before they reach the brain. This can be useful for various conditions, including:

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS)

Persistent pain following spinal surgery can be eased with spinal cord stimulation therapy, offering help when other treatments haven’t worked.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

Characterized by severe, continuous pain often in the limbs, SCS can help manage symptoms.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Nerve damage leading to pain, tingling, or numbness in the extremities can be addressed with SCS.

Chronic Back and Leg Pain

SCS serves as an effective stimulator for back pain, especially for those with chronic lower back and leg pain unresponsive to other treatments.

Angina

For patients with chest pain due to coronary artery disease not suitable for surgery, SCS can reduce the frequency and intensity of angina episodes.

Peripheral Vascular Disease

SCS can improve blood flow and reduce pain in individuals with poor circulation in the limbs.

Spinal Cord Stimulation Procedure Details

Here’s how the spinal cord stimulator procedure looks like in general:

Consultation. Before the spinal cord stimulation procedure, you’ll meet with a specialist at a pain management clinic to discuss your condition and evaluate if an SCS treatment is actually the right option for you.
Trial Phase. A temporary pain stimulator implant is placed to test how well the therapy works for your pain. Small leads are inserted near the spinal cord, and an external device is used to deliver electrical impulses. This trial typically lasts about a week.
Evaluation. After the trial, you and your doctor will assess the results. Usually this treatment is defined as a success if it reduces the pain 50% or more. If it is so, the next step is the permanent SCS implant.
Permanent Implantation. During a minimally invasive surgery, the leads are implanted near the spinal cord, and the SCS implant (a small battery-powered device) is placed under the skin, usually in the abdomen or buttocks.
Device Programming. After the procedure, the device is programmed to deliver stimulation enough for your specific needs. Adjustments can be made over time if required..
Recovery and Follow-Up. You’ll be given aftercare instructions and follow up with your doctor to ensure the spinal cord stimulation is effective and working as expected.

Spinal Cord Stimulator Recovery

Recovering from an SCS procedure is usually simple, but it’s important to take it easy and follow your doctor’s recommendations. After the SCS implant surgery, you may experience mild soreness or swelling at the incision site, which typically improves within a week or two. Most people can return to light activities in a few days, but you should avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, or bending for about 4-6 weeks.

Recovery Tips:

Rest. Take time to rest and let your body recover, especially in the first few days after the procedure.
Carefully Follow Instructions. Your doctor will provide aftercare guidelines, including how to care for the incision site to prevent infection. Follow these instructions carefully to avoid complications.
Avoid Strain. Avoid activities that put stress on the incision or the SCS implant area.
Stay Active (Gently). Light walking can help improve circulation and support healing. But don’t overdo it, be gentle to your body while it heals.
Monitor Your Progress. Notify your doctor if you experience unusual redness, swelling, or discomfort.
Device Adjustment. You may need follow-up visits to fine-tune the device.

With proper care, recovery is typically smooth.

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What are the Benefits vs. Side Effects of SCS Surgery

Benefits of Spinal Cord Stimulation Procedure

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Effective Pain Relief. A spinal implant for pain helps block pain signals from reaching the brain, noticeably reducing chronic pain.

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Minimally Invasive. Spinal cord stimulation surgery is less invasive than other surgical treatments for pain, with quicker recovery.

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Adjustable Therapy. A neuro stimulator implant can be adjusted to deliver the right level of stimulation.

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Drug-Free Option. SCS reduces the reliance on pain medications, which can have long-term side effects.

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Reversible Treatment. If needed, the spinal implant for pain can be turned off or even safely removed without lasting effects.

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Better Quality of Life. Many patients report better mobility and the ability to return to daily activities without constant pain.

Side Effects of Spinal Cord Stimulation Surgery

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Temporary Soreness. Mild pain or swelling at the implantation site is common after surgery but usually resolves within a few weeks.

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Device Malfunction. The neuro stimulator implant may require adjustments or replacement if it stops working properly.

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Infection Risk. Like any surgery, there’s a small chance of infection.

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Lead Movement. The leads near the spine may shift, reducing effectiveness and requiring repositioning.

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Not Effective for Everyone. While many experience relief, some may not find the treatment as effective as expected.

Choose Us for Spinal Cord Stimulator Surgery in Dallas, TX

At Foundation Pain & Spine, we’re fully dedicated to providing effective care for chronic pain with most modern treatments like spinal stimulation therapy. Led by Dr. Thompson, MD and Founder, our team focuses on highly personalized care to help you with your unique pain and needs. Whether you’re dealing with persistent pain or conditions that haven’t responded well to other treatments, a neurostimulator for back pain can offer the relief you’ve been desperately searching for.

Our back stimulator procedures are minimally invasive, allowing for quicker recovery and better results. We deliver treatments personalized to your unique condition. We also use advanced regenerative techniques, such as alpha 2 macroglobulin therapy, to address inflammation and boost healing.

From your initial consultation to follow-up care, our goal is to support you every step of the way. Ready to feel better? Contact Foundation Pain & Spine today to schedule your consultation!

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At Foundation Pain & Spine, Dr. Thompson and his team are here to help patients find relief from pain. Effective pain relief starts with a pain specialist and Dr. Thompson is here for you.

What Clients Say About Us

      
   Foundation Pain & Spine PLLC
   52 Google reviews 
  Write a review 
  
 
 
   
 
 
        
   Tom 
 2024-07-09
 
 
  Started seeing Justin with level 8 pain for decades. Was told major back surgery was my only option to relieve it. I am not a surgicsl candidate due to fatal allergy to anesthesia. Dr. Thompson put in an intrathecal pain pump using alternate anesthesia. My pain levels now are 5-6! Major relief. I now can walk shoet distances and make my way through the grocery store. I am so grateful.  He is attentive and listens to the patient and includes them in treatments.  Clinic staff is excellent also. I am blessed to have been referred to him.  Incredible clinic.
  
 
       
   Trish Cross 
 2024-05-03
 
 
  Very caring, understanding and professional.
  
 
       
   Paul Terrell 
 2024-04-12
 
 
  Excellent physician who truly care for the well being of his patients. He has gone out of his way to accommodate my everchanging needs on more than one occasion. Navigating life after an injury that left me disabled has been more than challenging but I am confident I will get through it with Dr Thompson in my corner.
  
 
       
   Renee Cooper 
 2023-10-20
 
 
  Dr. Thompson is the first doctor to manage my pain, he's a great doctor that actually listens and evaluate your opinions. My case is complicated but he's been a great help.
  
 
       
   Skyler Karins 
 2022-05-19
 
 
  Two weeks ago I was helping a family lay sod grass and the next day I started to experience hip, leg, and foot pain. I was just taking over the counter pain relief for 2 weeks, but the pain just continued to get worse. I scheduled an appointment and Dr. Thompson was able to see me the same day. He did a great job of assessing my pain and doing a thorough exam on where my pain might be generating from. He prescribed me two pain medications that have me feeling back to my normal self. Words can’t describe the happiness I feel to be back to normal. Thank you Dr. Thompson for helping me get back to a better quality of life.
  
 
       
   KidFink 13 
 2022-05-01
 
 
  Most of the reviews you see may not be authentic. The first appointment he seemed to care and listen to my problems being a paraplegic and my surgery I had coming up needing a pain doctor to take over my post surgery pain medication. He mentioned a procedure to look into that he could do also gave me a lower dosage of what I had been taking for the past 2 years so I was in agony for 15 days I went through 2 or 3 appointments each with a gap of 15 days and did not raise my dosage and sent me to get an MRI. There were a lot of people there to get procedures done I didn’t think much of it at first until I went back to talk about why he gave me an MRI.  Told me that I’m a good candidate and we should move forward with the procedure that I did not agree on. I said I am not comfortable with it and told me, that I am not a good match for his care and I should find someone else. Reminded him that I need a pain management doctor for surgery. Post surgery the doctors at the hospital tried to contact his office multiple times multiple days with no answer. So they had to send in a prescription and released me. I had to get in contact with him to finally get a script. So if you are having surgery and or not comfortable with going through a procedure I would not recommend because that’s all he does is procedures and does not like to prescribe pain medication when it says in his description that he does. I have my own opinion on why he only wants to do procedures but that’s not here nor there. I am only writing this as a warning for other people in my position. Wish you well and my have a better experience than I do.
  
 
       
   Ashley Grissom 
 2022-04-06
 
 
  It is a great office it's just very hard to get in contact with anybody by making an appointment or calling!

FAQs About Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)

What Is Spinal Cord Stimulation?

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a pain relief therapy that involves placing a small device near the spinal cord to deliver mild electrical impulses. These impulses help block pain signals from reaching the brain, offering relief for those with chronic pain conditions.

Who Does Spinal Cord Stimulation?

Spinal cord stimulation is typically performed by a pain management specialist or neurosurgeon trained in neuromodulation therapies. These specialists assess patients to determine if SCS is a suitable option and handle the implantation procedure.

What Type Of Pain Is Spinal Cord Stimulation Primarily Used For?

Spinal cord stimulation is primarily used to manage chronic pain in the back, legs, or arms, especially in cases of nerve pain or persistent pain after surgery. It is often recommended for those who have not found sufficient relief through other treatments.

How Long Has Spinal Cord Stimulation Been Around?

Spinal cord stimulation has been used since the late 1960s. Over the years, technological improvements have made it a more effective and widely accepted option for managing chronic pain.

How Does Spinal Cord Stimulation Work?

Spinal cord stimulation works by sending controlled electrical impulses to the spinal cord, which interfere with pain signals traveling to the brain. This reduces the sensation of pain and can be adjusted by the patient or clinician for optimal comfort and effectiveness.

Author

Dr. Justin Thompson

Dr. Justin H. Thompson, MD, is the founder and CEO of Foundation Pain & Spine. A native Texan and graduate of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dr. Thompson specializes in pain management. With advanced training from Baylor University and Virginia Commonwealth University, he offers innovative, personalized treatments to help patients overcome chronic pain and restore their quality of life.
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